Pro-Moscow rebels fighting in Ukraine said on Friday they would comply with a request from the Kremlin and open up a 'humanitarian corridor' to allow the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops they have encircled.

Gaza has seen one of its heaviest nights of bombardment in three weeks, after Israel's prime minister warned of a long conflict ahead. Gaza's only power plant was damaged as Israel carried out 60 air strikes.

The first planes carrying victims' bodies from crashed flight MH17 have left Ukraine for the Netherlands, where experts will begin to identify them. Dutch P.M. Mark Rutte will meet the planes amid day of mourning.